Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Announces Deconstructing the Prison Pipeline Event

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y., May 6, 2019 (Newswire.com) - ​​On Friday, May 10 from 10:30 am – 2:00 pm, hundreds of people will gather at Touro Law Center in Central Islip for public hearings about the factors feeding the prison pipeline. The forum will feature expert testimony, personal impact stories from recently released individuals – and public participation. 

“I have spent my entire career working in jails and witnessing generations of families, especially young black men, impacted by crime and incarceration. We spend $80 billion a year on a correctional system that perpetuates recidivism. Investing a fraction of that cost in prevention and early intervention would change countless lives. It’s time for a change,” said Suffolk, NY Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. 

NYS Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean Pierre stated, “With so many of our most at-risk children encountering the juvenile and criminal justice systems, it is critical for us to assess every factor and policy that may be contributing to this very real issue. I am honored to be joining Sheriff Toulon and so many other distinguished experts for this important hearing, and I am confident that the input we receive will help us formulate the solutions needed to end the prison pipeline once and for all.”

EVENT: “A Holistic Approach to Deconstructing the Prison Pipeline”

DATE/TIME: Friday, May 10, 2019
10:30 am – 2:00 pm

LOCATION: Touro Law Center
225 Eastview Dr, Central Islip, NY 11722

Additional: Hear personal stories about the impact of incarceration. Interviews with participants, experts and elected officials. The public may register to attend.  Visit the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office's website at www.suffolksheriff.com.

Panelists:
Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr., Ed.D.

Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean Pierre

Hon. DuWayne Gregory, Suffolk County Presiding Officer

Hon. Darcel D. Clark, Bronx District Attorney​

Harry Ballan, Dean and Professor of Law, Touro College     

As well as leaders in the judiciary, legal, education and human service sectors.          

Other: 

Also participating will be experts from the Children's Defense Fund, ECLI, Economic Opportunity Council, Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, Hope for Youth, the Legal Aid Society, Mentor NY, New Hour for Women and Children, and the NY Attorney General's Office.

About:

Sheriff Toulon organized a Task Force in October focused on the prison pipeline, and asked Assemblywoman Jean Pierre to Co-Chair “The Deconstructing the Prison Pipeline Task Force.” The initiative is exploring how the intersection of trauma, poverty, race, school policies, substance abuse, and gangs are all factors feeding the prison pipeline. The Task Force will publish its recommendations and plans to implement a pilot project based on lessons learned from the hearing.

Source: Suffolk County Sheriff's Office